August 1, 2023—In a significant effort to safeguard and celebrate our cultural heritage, the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) announces the allocation of $644,147 to support 17 pioneering projects under the Recordings at Risk program. Building upon the success of the 147 previously funded projects, which have already digitally preserved over 55,000 vulnerable audio and/or visual recordings, this tenth cohort of recipients marks a crucial milestone in cultural preservation.
The cultural significance of these endangered analog audiovisual materials cannot be overstated. The ravages of time, coupled with the scarcity of compatible playback equipment and looming and environmental hazards, threaten their very existence. The grant recipients will employ state-of-the-art technologies and partner with highly skilled digitization service providers to rescue these invaluable records from the brink of extinction.
Among the diverse array of recordings to be digitized, the projects will illuminate the rich tapestry of twentieth-century Native life in America, showcase the evolution of music history, capture the impact of labor and social justice activism, provide unique insights into the wonders of animal life, preserve the multifaceted perspectives and creativity of people from the heart of Appalachia, and illuminate the vibrant lights of Las Vegas.
Through the support of the Mellon Foundation and administered by CLIR, the Recordings at Risk program continues to empower diverse organizations in their mission to preserve rare and unique audio and/or visual recordings of high scholarly value. Since its inception in 2017, the program has awarded grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 to diverse organizations, providing vital resources necessary to save cultural memory that would otherwise be lost to time.
As we race against time to salvage these delicate and fading pieces of our history, each successfully digitized recording becomes a vital testament to the past. This extraordinary endeavor underscores CLIR’s unwavering commitment to cultural preservation, recognizing the urgent need to protect our collective heritage and ensure that the voices and experiences of diverse communities resonate across generations.
Visit the program’s Funded Projects page for more information about individual projects and the independent review panel, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the program’s funding recommendations. CLIR extends its gratitude to all applicants to and reviewers for their unwavering dedication and passion, especially during times of ongoing social duress.
CLIR is in the process of finalizing the next call for proposals for Recordings at Risk. Details on future cycles will be posted to the program’s landing page in the next several months. Those interested are encouraged to sign up for CLIR’s Grants & Programs Newsletter for updates.